Presence and Process in Expressive Arts Work: At the Edge of Wonder

What are the basic attitudes, values, and practices that are essential for effective work with the expressive arts? This book explores the answer to that question. The authors examine in depth the concepts of 'presence' - a way of 'being' - and 'process' - an open and trusting way of working - in the professional helping relationship and in the making of art. They introduce readers to the premise of the 'uniqueness of persons' that underpins these ideas, and look at how to realize them in practice. Diverse experiences are also shared of using the arts in group and individual work in a variety of settings, from team building and education to counseling, psychotherapy and supervision. This book is a comprehensive, foundational guide for all practitioners who use the expressive arts as a way of facilitating learning, growth, healing, and change, including expressive arts therapists and students, counsellors, coaches, and other helping professionals. With its clear structure and straight forward style, the book is appropriate also for beginners in these professional fields.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Paolo Knill. Preface by Herbert Eberhart. Preface by Sally Atkins. 1. Introduction. 2. Embracing Surprise: The Importance of the Arts in Expressive Arts Work. 3. The Courage to Meet the Other: Personal Presence in the Helping Relationship. 4. The Adventure of the Unknown: Working in a Process-Oriented Way. 5. Conclusion. Appendices. Introduction. Appendix A. Decentering with Expressive Arts. Appendix B. Expressive Arts in Dream Work. References. Index.

About the Author :
Herbert Eberhart, Ph.D., is a social worker and clinical psychologist. He worked for 25 years as a Senior Professor at the Zurich School of Social Work, and he teaches at several higher education institutions, including the European Graduate School in Switzerland. Sally Atkins is a poet, performing artist, psychotherapist, psychologist, registered expressive arts therapist and registered expressive arts consultant/educator. She is Professor of Human Development and Psychological Counseling and Founder of the Expressive Arts Therapy Program at Appalachian State University, and Core Faculty of the European Graduate School.

Review :
“This is a major contribution to the field of expressive arts, a pioneering work, bringing together these central concepts, presence and process, with fundamental ideas about the arts and aesthetics.” “Herbert Eberhart's and Sally Atkins's terse and wise book reveals why the worldwide community of the European Graduate School leads the way in applying ideas and methods originally developed in expressive arts therapy to a spectrum of practice ranging from organizational development to social change. Their teamwork models the presence, process, and wonder of creation.” “Atkins and Eberhart have confronted the essential quandary of 21st-century life 'ordered by routines and plans even if the plans don't work'.As our world constricts further, seeking greater efficiency in its planning, these two visionaries dare to explore the wisdom of curiosity, wonder, and imagination kindled through art, improvisation, and openness to surprise. That which is offered here moves past the studio to permeate their clients' and students' worlds with aesthetic sensitivity and responsibility. Beautiful!” “This book by Sally Atkins and Herbert Eberhart offers a unique combination of explanatory discourse, personal experience and practical examples concerning the question: what are the helping effects when carrying out expressive arts work in psychotherapy, counseling, coaching, supervision, etc.? For a long time, students as well as practitioners have been yearning for such a book, because they are increasingly asked to describe and explain the principles of their doing. Congratulations for supplying this need, now!”